Business Services Industry
Finding the right consultant: HR should use the same diligence it applies to screening candidates for important jobs. Look for good communication skills and a commitment to help you implement your plan
Workforce, Oct, 2002
Companies of all sizes use consultants to provide such specialized HR services as benefits and compensation planning, executive recruiting, HRMS, and organizational development. It just makes sense. There aren't many enterprises large enough to staff for every requirement in today's complex work environment. So it's probably not a matter of whether or not you'll need a consultant, but when. Choosing a good consultant requires the same diligence HR applies to screening candidates for important jobs. The better the match, the better the results. It may seem obvious, but you should have a clear idea of what you want the consultant to accomplish before you begin your search. In some cases, the work may be a clear-cut project with an easily defined outcome. In other situations, you may be looking for someone who can find a solution to a perplexing set of problems. In either case, it's important that your hired help is up to the task. Here are some pointers:
More Articles of Interest
Look for a consultant who comes recommended by someone you trust or who belongs to a professional organization with formal certification or a code of member conduct
Be sure the consultant or consulting organization is an expert in the field and can provide pertinent references.
Look for someone with good communications skills
You expect consultants to be familiar with your industry, but it helps if they can communicate effectively with you, your staff, and others in the organization. You may want to test the relationship on a smaller project before committing to a much larger one. But give your consultant some benefit of the doubt when it comes to ideas or an approach that tests your comfort level. Be open to innovation.
Make sure the consultant not only works up a solution, but also helps implement and document any plan
When you bid the work, make sure you allow time for reasonable project review or fine-tuning. The last thing you want is to pay for a project that goes nowhere. Be prepared to lend the support necessary to bring the project to a successful conclusion. It's unrealistic to expect an outside consultant, no matter how competent or talented, to complete a mandate without your energy and support.
Be sure to take care of the housekeeping
Be realistic when developing a project budget. Allow for contingencies. Include confidentiality language in any agreement you develop. Establish clear deadlines and project milestones.
Accounting
AllBookkeepingResource.com
www.allbookkeepingresource.com
Chichakli, Hickman-Riggs & Riggs CPAs
Cox Nichols Hollida, CPAs & Consultants, LLP
DeVA Systems Group, Inc.
Sheakley UniService, Inc.
TMP eResourcing
Compensation Design & Planning
Administration and Benefits Consultants Inc.
Allied Benefit System Inc.
Astron Solutions
Benefits and Compensation Design Group
P. O. Box 369
Marlboro, NJ 07746-0369
732-972-1456
CEL & Associates, Inc.
Clayton Wallis Company, The
Comp Design
Compensation Resources
310 Route 17 North
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
877-934-0505
CPR Resources
Ecomponline.com
Economic Research institute
30-Day Trial of software/database tools used by 80% of the "Fortune 500" and thousands of other companies/organizations to set compensation and determine relocation costs. Economic Research institute software/database tools include information for thousands of positions at locations throughout the U.S./Canada and Internationally, cost-of-living differentials, and proxy-based executive compensation analysis.
8575 164th Ave. N.E., Suite 100
Redmond, WA 98052
800-627-3697
Michael Guille: Michael_Gillie@erieri.com
Foote Partners IT Research Consulting and Advisory Firm
Fox Lawson & Associates LLC
GatesMcDonald
Hewitt Associates
Hewitt Associates LLC is a global management consulting and outsourcing firm specializing in human resource solutions. With 2000 revenues of nearly $1.3 billion, the firm ranked among the Top 200 of Forbes magazine's listing of the largest private companies and has the largest employee benefits consulting business in the U.S. The main area of busines are: HR & Benefits Outsourcing, HR Strategy & Technology, Organizational Change, Retirement and Financial Planning, Talent & Reward Strategies, and Health Care. The firm also boasts an impressive client roster, which includes more than two-thirds of the Fortune 500 companies and over one-third of the Global 500.
100 Half Day Road
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
847-295-5000
Sue Schmitz: sue.schmitz@hewitt.com
IncenSoft LLC
Ironman Consulting
Management Service Associates
Mungall Consulting Group
People Report
Performance Consulting Services
Most Recent Business Articles
- Your feedback
- Why fly solo when an executive assistant can accelerate your CLNC® business?
- The CLNC® mentors held the key to my first case and to my CLNC® success
- Atlanta CLNC® 6-day certification seminar photo gallery—plus sign up today for spring 2009 to save $100.00
- Announcing the 2009 NACLNC® conference keynote speaker, Stedman Graham: move like a maverick for breakaway CLNC® success at the 2009 NACLNC® conference
Most Recent Business Publications
Most Popular Business Articles
- Using object-oriented analysis and design over traditional structured analysis and design
- Big Fish Games Migrates Upstream to Fisher Plaza; High Growth Online Gaming Firm Vaults Fisher Plaza Occupancy Rate Above 90%
- Top of the line: some of the world's most well-respected doctors practice in South Florida. A guide to choosing the best physician specialists - Top Doctors in South Florida
- BEHR Paints Introduces a Colorful New Way to Paint and Prime All in One with BEHR Premium Plus Ultra™ Interior
- Sand filter basics: high-rate sand filters can be confusing for those new to the business. Understanding valve modes is the key
Most Popular Business Publications
Content provided in partnership with
